Map display device, navigation device and map display method

ABSTRACT

A map display device includes a position information acquiring unit for acquiring the present position of a vehicle; a map data storage unit for storing map data; a remaining energy acquiring unit for acquiring a residual quantity of energy for driving the vehicle and equipment mounted on the vehicle; a range calculating unit for computing a range the vehicle can travel with the remaining energy, using a moving energy consumption rate which is energy consumption per unit time required for moving the vehicle and a driving energy consumption rate Eci which is energy consumption per unit time required for driving the equipment mounted on the vehicle; and an output control unit for displaying the range on a map using the map data.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application is a Continuation of copending U.S. application Ser.No. 14/705,401, filed on May 6, 2015, which is a Continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 13/978,216, filed on Jul. 3, 2013, which issued asU.S. Pat. No. 9,052,998, on Jun. 9, 2015, which was filed asInternational Application No. PCT/JP2011/001064 on Feb. 24, 2011, all ofwhich are hereby expressly incorporated by reference into the presentapplication.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a map display device for carrying outmap display considering energy consumption of a mobile unit, anavigation device comprising the map display device and a map displaymethod.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, a map display device has been used which is mounted on amobile unit such as a car, detects the present position of the vehicleusing GPS or the like and displays the position on a display togetherwith a road map. Furthermore, with the recent spread of electricvehicles and hybrid vehicles, a technique is utilized which displays arange the mobile unit can cover with the present remaining energy, or anenergy supply necessary for the mobile unit to continue travelingtogether with the map display. For example, a map display devicedisclosed in Patent Document 1 calculates, when charging the battery ofa driving motor, a range the mobile unit can cover after charging thebattery for a plurality of periods of time considering the remainingbattery life, and displays the result on a display. In addition, avehicle control device disclosed in Patent Document 2 shows a fuelstation reachable under an energy-saving driving mode to a driver, eventhough only one reachable fuel station remains in a normal driving mode,and controls the driving mode of the vehicle so that it can reach thefuel station the driver desires.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENT Patent Document

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2009-25128.

Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2007-178216.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Problems To Be Solved By The Invention

The foregoing Patent Documents 1 and 2, however, consider only remainingbattery life or fuel remaining, and do not consider energy consumptionof equipment (such as an air conditioner, wipers and headlights) themobile unit can use while it is traveling. Accordingly, it has a problemof being unable to inform a user dynamically of the range that variesdepending on the energy consumption of the equipment used.

The present invention is implemented to solve the foregoing problem.Therefore it is an object of the present invention to provide a mapdisplay device capable of informing a user of the range that dynamicallychanges in response to the energy consumption of the equipment usedwhile the mobile unit is traveling.

Means for Solving the Problem

A map display device in accordance with the present invention comprises:a position information acquiring unit for acquiring the present positionof a mobile unit; a map data storage unit for storing map data; aremaining energy acquiring unit for acquiring a residual quantity ofenergy for driving the mobile unit and equipment mounted on the mobileunit; a range calculating unit for computing a reachable range of themobile unit with the remaining energy the remaining energy acquiringunit acquires, using a moving energy consumption rate which is energyconsumption per unit time required for moving the mobile unit and adriving energy consumption rate which is energy consumption per unittime required for driving the equipment mounted on the mobile unit; andan output control unit for displaying on a map the reachable range ofthe mobile unit the range calculating unit computes, using the map dataof the map data storage unit.

Advantages of the Invention

According to the present invention, it can carry out map display capableof varying the range dynamically in accordance with the energyconsumption of the equipment used while the mobile unit is traveling.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a map displaydevice of an embodiment 1;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control unit ofthe map display device of the embodiment 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a range calculatingunit of the map display device of the embodiment 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an operation example and its display screenof the map display device of the embodiment 1;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display example of a range on the mapdisplay device of the embodiment 1;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the map display device ofthe embodiment 1;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a range calculatingunit of a map display device of an embodiment 2;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a display example of a range by the mapdisplay device of the embodiment 2;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation of the map display device ofthe embodiment 2;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a different configuration of therange calculating unit of the map display device of the embodiment 2;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a different operation of the map displaydevice of the embodiment 2;

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a different display example of a range bythe map display device of the embodiment 2;

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a rangecalculating unit of a map display device of an embodiment 3;

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a sunshine database of themap display device of the embodiment 3;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an operation of the map display device ofthe embodiment 4;

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a display example of a range of the mapdisplay device of the embodiment 4;

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a different display example of the range ofthe map display device of the embodiment 4;

FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control unit ofa map display device of an embodiment 5;

FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a rangecalculating unit of the map display device of the embodiment 5;

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a display example of a circular route onthe map display device of the embodiment 5;

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the operation of the map display deviceof the embodiment 5;

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing display control of a map display device ofan embodiment 6;

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a display example on the map display deviceof the embodiment 6;

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing an operation of the map display device ofthe embodiment 6;

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing a different operation of the map displaydevice of the embodiment 6; and

FIG. 26 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a navigationdevice with a function of the embodiment 1 to the embodiment 6.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The best mode for carrying out the invention will now be described withreference to the accompanying drawings to explain the present inventionin more detail.

Embodiment 1

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a map displaydevice of an embodiment 1. In FIG. 1, the map display device 10 of theembodiment 1 comprises a control unit 1, a position informationacquiring unit 2, a map data storage unit 3, a user input unit 4, aremaining energy acquiring unit 5, an energy consumption rate acquiringunit 6, a voice output unit 7, a display unit 8 and a communication unit9. Although the map display device 10 is applicable to various mobileunits, the following description will be made by way of example appliedto a vehicle.

The control unit 1 is generally composed of a CPU, a memory and the likeas an embedded system. The position information acquiring unit 2 obtainsthe position information of its own vehicle from GPS informationsupplied from an external device (not shown) or from various drivinginformation such as vehicle speed information and steering angle of thewheel. The map data storage unit 3 stores map data for a navigationdevice. The user input unit 4, which is composed of a rotary switch,buttons, and/or a microphone, for example, accepts operation input orvoice input from a user. The user input unit 4 can be implemented bysoftware keys as well as hardware keys. The operation input or voiceinput is input that designates temperature setting of an air conditioneror volume setting of audio equipment, for example.

Incidentally, the following description will be made by referring toequipment such as an air conditioner or audio equipment in the vehicleas power consuming equipment, the power consumption of which increasesor decreases due to user operation. As the other power consumingequipment, there are heaters, wipers, wireless equipment, a cigarlighter, external equipment connection equipment, backseat entertainmentequipment (DVD or Blue-ray video playback equipment) and its screen, theinterior light, cruise control setting and the like.

The remaining energy acquiring unit 5 calculates a residual quantity ofenergy which is required for driving the vehicle and is used by thepower consuming equipment. The energy consumption rate acquiring unit 6obtains energy consumption per unit time required for driving thevehicle and power consuming equipment (called “moving energy consumptionrate” from now on). The voice output unit 7 gives a user variousinformation the control unit 1 generates in a voice. In addition,according to need, it outputs an alarm in response to a controlinstruction from the control unit 1. The display unit 8 displays inaddition to map information, various information created by the controlunit 1. The communication unit 9 carries out communication with anexternal device via an in-vehicle network (not shown) or an externalnetwork (not shown).

Next, details of the control unit 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a blockdiagram showing a detailed configuration of the control unit 1 inFIG. 1. The control unit 1 comprises a vehicle position calculating unit11, an input analyzer unit 12, a range calculating unit 13, an outputcontrol unit 14 and a map panel unit 15.

The vehicle position calculating unit 11 performs map matching betweenthe vehicle position information input from the position informationacquiring unit 2 and the map data obtained from the map data storageunit 3, and calculates the vehicle position on the map. The inputanalyzer unit 12 analyzes the input data input via the user input unit4. The range calculating unit 13 computes a cruising radius from thevehicle position information supplied from the vehicle positioncalculating unit 11, the map data obtained from the map data storageunit 3, the remaining energy of the vehicle obtained from the remainingenergy acquiring unit 5 and the moving energy consumption rate obtainedfrom the energy consumption rate acquiring unit 6.

The output control unit 14 carries out display control of the cruisingradius computed by the range calculating unit 13. As for the displaycontrol, it controls not only the screen display of the display unit 8,but also the output of the voice signal from the voice output unit 7.For example, it controls the display unit 8 and voice output unit 7 whena warning is displayed on the display unit 8 and is output in a voicesimultaneously with the warning. The map panel unit 15 stores the mapdata and data for displaying the vehicle position and range on thedisplay unit 8.

Next, details of the range calculating unit 13 will be described. FIG. 3is a block diagram showing a configuration of the range calculating unitin FIG. 2.

The range calculating unit 13 comprises a driving efficiency storageunit 21, a reachable distance calculating unit 22, and a reachable areacalculating unit. 23.

The driving efficiency storage unit 21 stores driving efficiency duringdriving on a road for each road type such as an expressway, nationalroad and ordinary road. Furthermore, it retains in advance a tableestablishing the correspondence between the driving speeds of thevehicle and the moving energy consumption rates, and retains constantsof the reachable distances at the moving energy consumption rates in thetable of the vehicle driving speeds and the moving energy consumptionrates. As for the table of the vehicle driving speeds and the movingenergy consumption rates, a configuration is also possible which updatesit automatically in accordance with the driving record of the vehicle.

The reachable distance calculating unit 22 computes the reachabledistance of the vehicle from the remaining energy obtained by theremaining energy acquiring unit 5 and from the energy consumption perunit time of the vehicle obtained by the energy consumption rateacquiring unit 6. The reachable area calculating unit 23 computes areachable area of the vehicle from the reachable distance the reachabledistance calculating unit 22 computes.

Next, a display example on the display unit 8 of the map display device10 will be shown. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a display example of themap display device of the embodiment 1, which shows an example thatalters its display contents in accordance with the volume control of theaudio equipment which is the power consuming equipment.

When a user rotates the rotary switch 4 a or presses the button 4 b ofthe audio equipment, which is the user input unit 4, an ellipse A whichis displayed on the map on the display unit 8 to indicate the range isshown with its center placed on the vehicle position O and with itsscale being reduced or increased in response to the operation. Morespecifically, when rotating the rotary switch 4 a to the position “1” orpushing the button 4 b once, the range A1 is displayed on the displayunit 8 in response to the operation. Likewise, when rotating the rotaryswitch 4 a to the position “2” or pushing the button 4 b twice, therange A2 is displayed, and when rotating the rotary switch 4 a to theposition “3” or pushing the button 4 b three times, the range A3 isdisplayed. In this way, when the audio equipment is operated in thedirection of increasing the volume, the power consumption increases andthe range A is reduced.

Although FIG. 4 shows an example that displays the ranges A1-A3 usingellipses with their center placed on the vehicle position O, the displayof the range A is not limited to an ellipse. For example, as shown inFIG. 5, it can be displayed using a circle which has its center placedon the vehicle position O and has a radius of the reachable distance(range ID, details of its computing method will be described later) ofthe vehicle the reachable distance calculating unit 22 computes.

Next, the operation of the map display device 10 will be described. FIG.6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the range calculating unit ofthe map display device of the embodiment 1. Along the line of theflowchart of FIG. 6, the processing of computing the range will bedescribed.

The range calculating unit 13 receives decision information on whetherthe setting of the power consuming equipment is changed or not, whichthe input analyzer unit 12 obtains by analyzing the operation inputinformation of the user input unit 4, from the energy consumption rateacquiring unit 6 via the col u unication unit 9 (step ST1). If adecision is made at step ST1 that the setting of the power consumingequipment is not changed, the processing returns to step ST1 and waits.In contrast, if a decision is made at step ST1 that the setting of thepower consuming equipment is changed, the reachable distance calculatingunit 22 of the range calculating unit 13 acquires the remaining energyEr from the remaining energy acquiring unit 5 (step ST2), and obtainsthe energy consumption rate Ec from the energy consumption rateacquiring unit 6 (step ST3).

Here Ec, which is the sum of the energy consumption of the vehicledriving and of all the pieces of the power consuming equipment per unittime, is calculated by the following Expression (1).

Ec=Ec0+ΣEci(i=1−n)   Exp. (1)

Incidentally, Ec0 is the energy consumption (moving energy consumption)per unit time relating to the vehicle driving, Eci (i=1−n) is the energyconsumption per unit time (referred to as a “driving energy consumptionrate” from now on) required for driving the power consuming equipment,and n is the number of pieces of the power consuming equipment mountedon the vehicle . Here, as for the driving energy consumption rate of thepower consuming equipment, it can be acquired directly from the powerconsuming equipment, or it can be acquired from a table that establishesthe correspondence between the setting of the power consuming equipmentand the driving energy consumption rate at the setting and is retainedin advance.

Furthermore, the reachable distance calculating unit 22 acquires theconstant d of the reachable distance at the moving energy consumptionrate Ec0 relating to the vehicle driving from the driving efficiencystorage unit 21 (step ST4). Incidentally, although the constant d is afunction of the gradient of a road and driving speed in general, it isexplained as a fixed value for the sake of convenience. Next, thereachable distance calculating unit 22 calculates the reachable distanceD while the power consuming equipment is used from the followingExpression (2) (step ST5).

D=d×(Er/Ec)   Exp. (2)

where the term (Er/Ec) in the foregoing Expression (2), which is thequotient obtained by dividing the remaining energy Er by the energyconsumption rate Ec, represents endurance under the present powerconsuming condition. Multiplying the endurance (Er/Ec) in the presentpower consuming condition by the constant d results in D which is thereachable distance in the present power consuming condition.Incidentally, although the foregoing Expression (2) gives a simplecalculation formula, to improve the accuracy of the reachable distanceD, a calculation formula in more detailed conditions can be used.

The reachable area calculating unit 23 calculates the range A from thereachable distance D computed at step ST5 according to the vehicleposition information supplied from the vehicle position calculating unit11 and the map data acquired from the map data storage unit 3 (stepST6). The range A computed at step ST6 is supplied to the output controlunit 14 (step ST7). After that, the flowchart returns to the processingat step ST1 to repeat the foregoing processing. In this way, every timeit detects the change of the power consuming equipment, it computes therange A and displays it on the map data (see FIG. 4). Accordingly, itcan inform the user of the range A dynamically changing in accordancewith the energy consumption rate Ec of the vehicle.

Incidentally, in FIG. 2, the range calculating unit 13 can be configuredin such a manner as to make a decision on whether the setting of thepower consuming equipment is changed or not via the user input unit 4 byreferring to the analysis information from the input analyzer unit 12.At this time, in FIG. 3, the input analyzer unit 12 supplies itsinformation to the reachable distance calculating unit 22.

As described above, according to the present embodiment 1, since itcomprises the reachable distance calculating unit 22 for calculating thereachable distance D considering the energy consumption of the powerconsuming equipment per unit time (driving energy consumption rate), itcan display the range that reflects the setting of the power consumingequipment.

In addition, according to the present embodiment 1, since it isconfigured in such a manner as to comprise the range calculating unit 13and output control unit 14 that calculate, every time the setting of thepower consuming equipment is changed, the reachable distance D and rangeA and display them on the map data, it can display the range thatfollows the user operation of the power consuming equipment.

In addition, according to the present embodiment 1, since it isconfigured in such a manner that the reachable distance calculating unit22 calculates the energy consumption rate Ec considering the energyconsumption required for driving the power consuming equipment per unittime (driving energy consumption rate), it can display the range whichreflects the setting of the power consuming equipment.

Incidentally, besides the display method shown in the foregoingembodiment 1, a configuration is also possible which displays the rangeat the operation of the power consuming equipment, followed by makingthe display of the range more inconspicuous after a fixed time periodhas elapsed from the end of the operation by removing the display,making it semitransparent or weakening its color. The configurationenables confirming the range when the power consuming equipment isoperated, prevents the range from being displayed normally, and thus canprovide the display with higher noticeability.

Embodiment 2

The present embodiment 2 shows a configuration that calculates areachable point along amain road from the vehicle position according tothe reachable distance D shown in the foregoing embodiment 1.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a map displaydevice of the embodiment 2. The map display device 10 of the embodiment2 further comprises in the range calculating unit 13 a reachable pointcalculating unit 24 for obtaining a reachable point from the reachabledistance D the reachable distance calculating unit 22 calculates inaddition to the configuration described in the foregoing embodiment 1with reference to FIG. 1-FIG. 3. Incidentally, in the followingdescription, the same or like components to those of the map displaydevice 10 of the embodiment 1 are designated by the same referencenumerals, and their description will be omitted or simplified.

The reachable point calculating unit 24 calculates a reachable point pfrom the reachable distance D according to the vehicle positioninformation supplied from the vehicle position calculating unit 11 andthe map data acquired from the map data storage unit 3. The reachablearea calculating unit 23 computes the range A from the reachable pointp. The range A can be given in terms of a route to the reachable point por an area formed by connecting a plurality of reachable points p bylines. FIG. 8 shows a display example on the map display device of theembodiment 2. FIG. 8(a) shows a display of routes for driving toreachable points p1, p2, p3 and p4 along main roads from the vehicleposition as the range A in a tree diagram. Since the roads are not astraight line, it is more limited than the range A shown in FIG. 5 ofthe embodiment 1. FIG. 8(b) shows a display of an area formed byconnecting the reachable points p1, p2, p3 and p4 by straight lines asthe range A.

Next, the operation will be described.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the map display device ofthe embodiment 2. Incidentally, in the following description, steps thatperform the same processing as the processing shown in FIG. 6 of theembodiment 1 are designated by the same reference symbols, and theirdescription will be omitted or simplified.

When the reachable distance calculating unit 22 computes the reachabledistance D at step ST5, the reachable point calculating unit 24 computesthe reachable points p (p1, p2, . . . , pn) from the reachable distanceD computed at step ST5 in accordance with the vehicle positioninformation supplied from the vehicle position calculating unit 11 andthe map data acquired from the map data storage unit 3 (step ST11). Thereachable area calculating unit 23 computes the range A from thereachable points p calculated at step ST11 (step ST12), and supplies itto the output control unit 14 (step ST7).

Incidentally, in the processing at step ST12, the range A can be givenby the tree diagram showing the routes to the reachable points p asshown in FIG. 8(a), or by the area formed by connecting the reachablepoints by the straight lines as shown in FIG. 8(b). Computing thereachable points in this way enables providing more accurate range Abased on the reachable distance D.

Next, a configuration will be shown in which the reachable pointcalculating unit 24 computes the reachable points p considering thedriving efficiency of an ordinary road and a motorway such as anexpressway. Since a motorway without a signal can improve the fuelconsumption, the reachable points p can be set at a more distant point.On the other hand, since the motorway has a restriction on aparking/stopping lot, it computes the reachable points p considering theparking/stopping lot.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration for calculating thereachable points considering a motorway in the map display device of theembodiment 2. It has the same configuration as the that of FIG. 7described above, and furthermore, it acquires, when at least a part of aroute to a reachable point p the reachable point calculating unit 24computes includes a motorway, the driving efficiency ratio d_ratiobetween the motorway and ordinary road from the driving efficiencystorage unit 21, and recalculates a reachable point p′ considering thedriving efficiency ratio d_ratio.

Next, the operation will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showingthe range display operation considering the driving efficiency of theordinary road and motorway in the map display device of the embodiment2.

When the reachable distance calculating unit 22 computes the reachabledistance D at step ST5, the reachable point calculating unit 24 acquiresthe distance information on a route along a main road from the vehicleposition on the map data in accordance with the vehicle positioninformation supplied from the vehicle position calculating unit 11 andthe map data acquired from the map data storage unit 3 (step ST21), andcalculates a point q the distance to which along the main road is notgreater than the reachable distance D and which is closest to thereachable distance D (step ST22).

Next, the reachable point calculating unit 24 decides on whether atleast a part of the route from the vehicle position to the point qincludes a motorway or not (step ST23). If it decides that the routedoes not include the motorway at step ST23, it supplies the point q itcomputes at step ST22 to the reachable area calculating unit 23 as thereachable point p (step ST24). After that, the reachable pointcalculating unit 24 decides on whether it calculates the reachablepoints p for all the main roads or not (step ST25), and if it decides atstep ST25 that it does not calculate the reachable points p for all themain road, it returns to step ST21 to repeat the foregoing processing.On the other hand, if it decides at step ST25 that it calculates thereachable points p for all the main roads, the reachable areacalculating unit 23 computes the range A from the reachable points pcalculated (step ST26), and supplies it to the output control unit 14(step ST7).

On the other hand, when it decides at step ST23 that the route includesa motorway, the reachable distance calculating unit 22 acquires thedriving efficiency ratio d_ratio between the motorway and ordinary roadfrom the driving efficiency acquiring unit 21 (step ST27). The drivingefficiency ratio d_ratio can be calculated by the following Expression(3).

d_ratio=(driving efficiency of motorway driving)/(driving efficiency dof ordinary road driving)   Exp. (3)

According to the following Expression (4), the reachable distancecalculating unit 22 calculates a new reachable distance D′ bymultiplying the driving efficiency ratio d_ratio and the distance, bywhich the vehicle passes along the motorway on the route as to which adecision is made of including the motorway at step ST23 (step ST28).

reachable distance D′=route distance on ordinary roadD_ippan+d_ratio×route distance on motorway D_senyou   Exp. (4)

Furthermore, the reachable distance calculating unit 22 calculates apoint q′ , the route distance to which is not greater than the reachabledistance D′ and which is closest to the distance D′ (step ST29). Then itdecides on whether the point q′ computed at step ST29 is on a motorwayor not (step ST30). When it decides at step ST30 that the point q′ isnot on the motorway, it sets the point q′ as a reachable point p (stepST31). On the other hand, when it decides at step ST30 that the point q′is on the motorway, it sets the reachable point p at a parking permittedspot that is located between the vehicle position and point q′ and isclosest to the point q′ (step ST32). When the processing at step ST31 orstep ST32 has been executed, the flowchart proceeds to the processing atstep ST25.

Incidentally, as for the reachable point p at step ST32 when moving intoa motorway, there is a case where it is set on an ordinary roadconsidering a parking permitted spot, or a case where it is set at aparking permitted spot on the motorway such as an interchange, servicearea, or parking area.

FIG. 12 shows a display example considering the driving efficiency ofthe ordinary road and motorway. Incidentally, in and after FIG. 12, thedescription will be made on the assumption that the motorway is anexpressway. FIG. 12(a) shows, considering the driving efficiency ratiod_ratio between an expressway and an ordinary road, routes from thevehicle position O to reachable points p1, p2, p4, p5 and p6 along mainroads at a range A of a tree diagram. The reachable points p1 p2 and p4are on an ordinary road and are the same as those shown in FIG. 8(a) Onthe other hand, since the routes from the vehicle position O to thereachable points p5 and p6 include an expressway, the driving efficiencyratio d_ratio is considered, and the reachable points p5 and p6 are setat points more distant than the point p3 shown in FIG. 8(a).

On the other hand, FIG. 12(b) shows a case where although the reachablepoint p6 is on the expressway as shown in FIG. 12(a), it is not a pointat which stopping of a vehicle is legally possible such as aninterchange or service area, and the range A is displayed with the pointp6 being eliminated therefrom. Incidentally, since the reachable pointp5 is on a route from the interchange to an ordinary road, it isincluded in the range A. In addition, as shown in FIG. 12(c), when aparking/stopping permitted service area (SA2) exists on the expresswayfrom the interchange to the reachable point p6, the service area (SA2)is included in the range A as a reachable point p6′.

As described above, according to the present embodiment 2, it isconfigured in such a manner as to calculate the reachable points P fromthe reachable distance D, thereby forming the range A as a tree diagramindicating the routes to the reachable points P or as an area byconnecting the reachable points P. Accordingly, it can calculate therange from the reachable distance D at higher accuracy. In addition,according to the present embodiment 2, it is configured in such a manneras to comprise the driving efficiency storage unit 21 for storing thedriving efficiency, and as to calculate the reachable distance Dconsidering the driving efficiency. Accordingly, it can calculate therange which reflects the driving environment of the vehicle.

Furthermore, according to the present embodiment 2, it is configured insuch a manner that when the vehicle is traveling along the motorway andthe reachable point p is on the motorway, it sets the reachable point pat a parking permitted spot. Accordingly, it can calculate the rangeusing the legally parking permitted spot.

Embodiment 3

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a rangecalculating unit of a map display device of the embodiment 3. The rangecalculating unit 13 of the present embodiment 3 has, in addition to theconfiguration described in the foregoing embodiment 1 with reference toFIG. 3, a sunshine information acquiring unit 25 for acquiring sunsettime and sunrise time. Incidentally, in the following description, thesame or like components to those of the map display device 10 of theembodiment 1 are designated by the same reference numerals used in theembodiment 1, and their description will be omitted or simplified.

The sunshine information acquiring unit 25 retains a sunshine databaseas shown in FIG. 14, for example, obtains the sunset time or sunrisetime at the present vehicle position by referring to the sunshinedatabase, and calculates time H1 from the present time to sunset or timeH2 from the present time to dawn. FIG. 14(a) is a sunset timetable whichshows sunset time at a prescribed region for each day. FIG. 14(b) is asunrise timetable which shows sunrise time at a prescribed region foreach day. In addition, as a different configuration of the sunshineinformation acquiring unit 25, it is also possible to acquire the sunsettime or sunrise time at the present vehicle position by thecommunication unit 9 via a network.

The reachable distance calculating unit 22 calculates the reachabledistance D using the energy consumption rate considering switching on oroff of the headlights in accordance with the time H1 from the presenttime to sunset or the time H2 from the present time to dawn suppliedfrom the sunshine information acquiring unit 25.

First, a case will be described in which the present time is beforesunset and the headlights are switched on during driving after thesunset so that the energy consumption per unit time increases. In thiscase, the sunshine information acquiring unit 25 supplies the time Hifrom the present time to sunset to the reachable distance calculatingunit 22. The reachable distance calculating unit 22 calculates thereachable distance D that can be covered when the headlights areswitched on after the time H1 according to the following Expression (5).

D=d×H1+d×(Er−Ec×H1)/(Ec+Ec_headlight)   Exp. (5)

where the foregoing Expression (5) is applied when driving is possibleafter the sunset, that is, when Er−Ec×H1>0.

In the foregoing Expression (5), the term (Er−Ec×H1) represents theremaining energy after driving time Hi. In addition, the termEc_headlight is an increase in the energy consumption per unit time dueto lighting of the headlights, and the term (Ec+Ec_headlight) representsthe energy consumption per unit time after time H1. By adding the energyconsumption rate Ec_headlight of the headlights to the energyconsumption rate Ec during extinction of the headlights (that is,without the power consumption of the headlights), the energy consumptionrate during lighting of the headlights after the sunset is given.

Incidentally, when the continuous driving becomes impossible beforesunset (within the time H1), that is, when Er−Ec×H1≦0, the reachabledistance D is calculated according to Exp. (2) given in the foregoingembodiment 1.

Next, a case will be described in which the present time is before dawnand the headlights are switched off during driving after the sunrise sothat the energy consumption rate per unit time reduces. In this case,the sunshine information acquiring unit 25 supplies the time H2 from thepresent time to dawn to the reachable distance calculating unit 22. Thereachable distance calculating unit 22 computes the reachable distance Dthat can be covered when the headlights are switched off after the timeH2 according to the following Expression (6).

D=d×H2+d×(Er−Ec×H2)/(Ec−Ec_headlight)   Exp. (6)

where the foregoing Expression (6) is applied when driving is possibleafter the dawn, that is, when Er−Ec×H2>0.

In the foregoing Expression (6), the term (Er−Ec×H2) represents theremaining energy after driving time H2. In addition, the Ec_headlight isa decrease in the energy consumption rate due to extinction of theheadlights, and the term (Ec-Ec_headlight) represents the energyconsumption rate after the time H2. By subtracting the energyconsumption rate Ec_headlight of the headlights from the energyconsumption rate Ec during lighting of the headlights (that is,including the power consumption of the headlights), the energyconsumption rate during extinction of the headlights after the sunriseis given.

Incidentally, when the continuous driving becomes impossible after thesunrise (within time H2), that is, when Er−Ec×H2≦0, the reachabledistance D is calculated according to Exp. (2) given in the foregoingembodiment 1.

As in the foregoing embodiment 1, the reachable area calculating unit 23calculates the range A from the reachable distance D the reachabledistance calculating unit 22 calculates according to the vehicleposition information supplied from the vehicle position calculating unit11 and the map data acquired from the map data storage unit 3.

As described above, according to the present embodiment 3, it isconfigured in such a manner as to comprise the sunshine informationacquiring unit 25 that includes the sunshine database and calculates thetime (H1) from the present time to sunset or the time (H2) from thepresent time to dawn, and the reachable distance calculating unit 22 forcalculating the reachable distance D using the energy consumption rateconsidering switching on or off of the headlights in accordance with thetime from the present time to the sunset or from the present time to thedawn. Accordingly, it can present the range in accordance with theenergy consumption rate changing dynamically in response to the lightingor extinction of the headlights.

Incidentally, although the present embodiment 3 shows a configuration inwhich the sunshine information acquiring unit 25 is added to the rangecalculating unit 13 shown in the embodiment 1, it can also be added tothe range calculating unit 13 shown in the embodiment 2.

Embodiment 4

The present embodiment 4 shows a configuration that issues a warning toa user by changing the display of the reachable range on the displayunit 8 when it becomes impossible to reach an interchange or a servicearea or parking area with energy supplying facilities, whichwasreachable but becomes unreachable because the user turns on the power orincreases the level of the power consuming equipment during motorwaydriving. Incidentally, since the map display device 10 of the embodiment4 has the same configuration as the foregoing embodiment 1 describedwith reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 or the embodiment 2 described withreference to FIG. 7 or FIG. 10, its description will be omitted, and thefollowing description will be made using the same reference numerals asthe embodiment 1 and embodiment 2.

Referring to the flowchart of FIG. 15, the operation of the map displaydevice of the embodiment 4 will be described. Incidentally, in theflowchart of FIG. 15, steps that perform the same processing as theprocessing shown in FIG. 6 of the embodiment 1 are designated by thesame reference symbols, and their description will be omitted orsimplified.

When the reachable distance calculating unit 22 calculates the reachabledistance D at step ST5, the reachable point calculating unit 24 computesthe point r at the reachable distance D from the vehicle position alongthe motorway according to the vehicle position information supplied fromthe vehicle position calculating unit 11 and the map data acquired fromthe map data storage unit 3 (step ST41). Furthermore, the reachablepoint calculating unit 24 computes a parking permitted spot R which isbetween the vehicle position and the point r and is closest to the pointr (step ST42), and computes the distance from the vehicle position tothe parking permitted spot R as the range A (step ST43). The range Acalculated is supplied to the output control unit 14 together with themap data.

The output control unit 14 decides on whether an energy supplyingfacility exists on the route to the parking permitted spot R. within therange A by referring to the map data (step T44). When it decides at stepST44 that an energy supplying facility exists on the route to theparking permitted spot R, it displays on the map the range A togetherwith the display mark of the energy supplying facility (step ST45). Onthe other hand, when it decides at step ST44 that no energy supplyingfacility exists on the route to the parking permitted spot R, itdisplays the range A on the map and gives a warning display indicatingthat it is impossible to reach the energy supplying facility by changingthe display of the range A (step ST46). After that, the flowchartreturns to the processing at step ST1 to repeat the foregoingprocessing.

FIG. 16 shows a display example of the range A corresponding to asetting level of the power consuming equipment and a display example ofa warning based on the presence or absence of an energy supplyingfacility. Incidentally, in FIG. 16 and the following explanation, thedescription will be made of an example that makes a decision on whetherthere is a charging facility or not before the parking permitted spot Rduring driving of an electric vehicle along the expressway which is amotorway. In addition, FIG. 16 shows a map display screen on the displayunit 8 when switching the setting level of the power consuming equipmentat three steps.

FIG. 16(a) shows a display example when placing the setting level of thepower consuming equipment at “1” with the dial 4 a or button 4 b whichis the user input unit 4. When the setting level is “1”, the parkingpermitted spot R computed by the reachable point calculating unit 24 isa service area (abbreviated to “SA” from now on) 1, and there are twocharging facilities at SA1 and SA2 on the route to the SA1. Accordingly,the display unit 8 displays the range A1 from the vehicle position O toSA1 and the display marks of the charging facilities at SA1 and SA2.

In this case, since the charging facility exists before the parkingpermitted spot R, the warning of changing the display of the range A1 isnot given.

FIG. 16(b) shows a display example when placing the setting level of thepower consuming equipment at “2” with the dial 4 a or button 4 b. Whenthe setting level is “2”, the parking permitted spot R computed by thereachable point calculating unit 24 is SA2, and there is one chargingfacility at the SA2 on the route to the SA2. Accordingly, the displayunit 8 displays the range A2 from the vehicle position O to the SA2 andthe display mark of the charging facility at SA2. In this case, sincethe charging facility exists before the parking permitted spot R, thewarning of changing the display color of the range A2 is not given.

FIG. 16(c) shows a display example when placing the setting level of thepower consuming equipment at “3” with the dial 4 a or button 4 b. Whenthe setting level is “3” , the parking permitted spot R computed by thereachable point calculating unit 24 is SA3, and there is no chargingfacility on the route to the SA3. Accordingly, the display unit 8displays the range A3 from the vehicle position O to the SA3, and givesa warning of being unable to reach the charging facility by changing thedisplay color of the range A3 to red, for example, or by turning theregion on and off. This enables the user to recognize that he or shecannot arrive at the charging facility when continuing the driving withthe power consuming equipment being used at the setting level 3.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 17, the range A1 can be displayedcylindrically in a three-dimensional fashion. Alternatively, althoughnot shown in a drawing, the range A can be displayed in a cone with itsvertex being the vehicle position O. The cone protrudes most at thevehicle position O and its height reduces in accordance with thedistance from the vehicle position O. In other words, the height of aparticular point on the cone corresponds to the remaining energy of thevehicle. Thus, the user can recognize the reduction in the remainingenergy due to driving from the cone. Furthermore, as anotherconfiguration, it can display an area other than the range A in asemitransparent manner.

As described above, according to the present embodiment 4, it isconfigured in such a manner as to comprise the reachable distancecalculating unit 22 for computing the point r at the reachable distanceD from the vehicle position along the motorway and for calculating theparking permitted spot R closest to the point r between the vehicleposition and the point r, and the output control unit 14 for alteringthe display of the range A depending on whether there is an energysupplying facility on the route to the parking permitted spot R.Accordingly, a user can make a quick decision on whether he or she candrive to the energy supplying facility at the present setting of thepower consuming equipment.

Incidentally, although the foregoing embodiment 4 is explained using anexample of driving along the motorway, it is also applicable to thedriving along an ordinary road.

In addition, the configuration of the foregoing embodiment 4 can beadded to the map display device 10 shown in the embodiment 3.

Embodiment 5

The present embodiment 5 shows a configuration which stores a regulardriving route as a circular route and displays a driving capable routeand a driving incapable route separately from the reachable distance Dthe reachable distance calculating unit 22 calculates. For example, avisiting care service vehicle travels a plurality of regular routesevery day and returns to a start point. Supposing such a use, aconfiguration will be shown which gives a warning display for a circularroute that will disable returning to a start point among the circularroutes stored, considering the remaining energy, temperature (setting ofan air conditioner), weather (setting of wipers) and time (setting ofheadlights).

FIG. 18 and FIG. 19 are block diagrams showing a configuration of themap display device of the embodiment 5. The map display device 10 of theembodiment 5 comprises the configuration as described in the foregoingembodiment 1 with reference to FIG. 1-FIG. 3, and in addition thecontrol unit 1 has a circular route storage unit 16 for storing regulardriving routes. Incidentally, in the following description, the same orlike components to those of the map display device 10 of the embodiment1 are designated by the same reference numerals as those used in theembodiment 1, and their description will be omitted or simplified.

The circular route storage unit 16 stores circular routes input via theuser input unit 4 and distances of the circular routes in advance. Whena mode for deciding circular route driving is selected via the userinput unit 4, it supplies the circular route and its distance stored tothe output control unit 14. In addition, the range calculating unit 13estimates power consuming equipment to be used according to thetemperature, weather and present time which are input via the user inputunit 4 or acquired from the network via the communication unit 9. Inaddition, the range calculating unit 13 has the driving energyconsumption rate of the power consuming equipment in advance as adatabase, and calculates by referring to the database the energyconsumption per unit time required for driving the power consumingequipment estimated to be used (referred to as “estimated driving energyconsumption rate” from now on).

The reachable distance calculating unit 22 computes the reachabledistance D from the remaining energy Er obtained from the remainingenergy acquiring unit 5, the estimated driving energy consumption rateof the power consuming equipment expected to be used, which is computedby the range calculating unit 13, and the moving energy consumption raterelating to the driving of the vehicle, which is acquired from theenergy consumption rate acquiring unit 6. The reachable distance Dcomputed is supplied to the output control unit 14 via the reachablearea calculating unit 23.

The output control unit 14 compares the distance of the circular routesupplied from the circular route storage unit 16 with the reachabledistance D, and decides on whether the circular route driving ispossible or not. When the distance of the circular route is not greaterthan the reachable distance D, it decides that the vehicle can return tothe start point, and carries out display control of the circular routein the same manner as an ordinary route. In contrast, when the distanceof the circular route is longer than the reachable distance D, itdecides that the vehicle cannot return to the start point, and carriesout warning display control of the circular route (displays in a dottedline or red color).

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a display example of the circular routes ofthe map display device of the embodiment 5. For example, it shows a casewhere the circular route storage unit 16 stores three coverable circularroutes 1, 2 and 3 when the remaining energy of the vehicle is 100%, andwhere the vehicle cannot return to the start point of the circular route3 with the longest distance when the present remaining energy of thevehicle is 70%. The circular route 3 is displayed in a dotted line so asto give a user a warning that the vehicle cannot return to the startpoint through the circular route 3.

Next, the operation will be described of making a decision as to whetherthe driving through the circular route is possible or not with referenceto the flowchart of FIG. 21.

When the mode of making a decision as to the circular route driving isselected via the user input unit 4 (step ST51), the range calculatingunit 13 acquires the present position of the vehicle which is computedfrom the vehicle position information, and the estimated driving energyconsumption rate of the power consuming equipment expected to be usedfrom surrounding conditions of the present position (step ST52).

The reachable distance calculating unit 22 estimates the reachabledistance D from the remaining energy Er acquired from the remainingenergy acquiring unit 5, the estimated driving energy consumption rateof the power consuming equipment expected to be used, which is acquiredat step ST52, and the moving energy consumption rate relating to thedriving of the vehicle acquired from the energy consumption rateacquiring unit 6 (step ST53), and supplies the reachable distance D tothe output control unit 14 via the reachable area calculating unit 23.The output control unit 14 acquires the circular route and the distanceof the circular route from the circular route storage unit 16 (stepST54), and makes a decision on whether the distance of the circularroute is longer than the reachable distance D or not (step ST55).

If a decision is made at step ST55 that the distance of the circularroute is longer than the reachable distance ID, it carries out thedisplay control of giving a warning about the circular route (stepST56). On the other hand, if a decision is made at step ST56 that thedistance of the circular route is not greater than the reachabledistance D, it carries out the control of displaying the circular routein the same manner as the ordinary route (step ST57). After that, theoutput control unit 14 makes a decision on whether it carries out thedisplay control for all the circular routes (step ST58), and if itdecides that all the circular routes are subjected to the decision, itterminates the processing. On the other hand, unless all the circularroutes undergo the decision, the processing returns to step ST55 torepeat the foregoing processing.

As described above, according to the present embodiment 5, it isconfigured in such a manner as to comprise the circular route storageunit 16 for storing the circular routes in advance, and the outputcontrol unit 14 for carrying out the warning display indicating that thecircular route cannot be covered when the distance of the circular routeis longer than the reachable distance D estimated. Accordingly, it canprovide a user with a route capable of traveling in accordance with thepresent remaining energy and the power consuming equipment expected tobe used. This enables the user to select the route capable of travelingpositively and easily.

In addition, according to the present embodiment 5, since it isconfigured in such a manner as to make a decision on whether thecircular route driving is possible or not according to the estimateddriving energy consumption rate of the power consuming equipmentexpected to be used in accordance with the surrounding conditions suchas the temperature, weather and time, it can make a more accuratedriving decision in conformity with the surrounding conditions at thedriving.

Incidentally, as for the database indicating the driving energyconsumption rate of the power consuming equipment, although theforegoing embodiment 5 shows a configuration in which the rangecalculating unit 13 includes the database, a configuration is alsopossible in which the reachable distance calculating unit 22 includesthe database.

Incidentally, the foregoing configuration can also be applied to the mapdisplay device 10 shown in the embodiment 2.

Embodiment 6

The present embodiment 6 gives various descriptions of the configurationof the output control unit 14.

First, FIG. 22 shows an example which varies the display speed of therange A in conformity with the operation speed of the user input unit 4.When changing the setting level of the power consuming equipment from 1to 3 via the user input unit 4, the speed of altering the range A iscontrolled in accordance with a feeling of the operation of the userinput unit 4 (such as rotating the dial or pushing the button).

Referring to FIG. 22(a) to FIG. 22(c), it will be described concretely.When the user input unit 4 is a dial 4 a as shown in FIG. 22(a) and thesetting level is changed from 1 to 3 by rotating the dial 4 a, therotation speed of the dial 4 a varies as shown in FIG. 22(b). The movingspeed is zero near the setting level 1 (time T0), increases toward thesetting level 2 as the dial 4 a is rotated, reduces near the settinglevel 2 (time T1), and becomes zero at the setting level 2 (time T1 toT2), thereby stopping the rotation of the dial 4 a. Likewise, the dial 4a increases toward the setting level 3, and the moving speed reducesnear the setting level 3 (time T3) and becomes zero when arriving at thesetting level 3, thereby stopping the rotation of the dial 4 a.

The display speed of the range A is also altered as the speed variationof FIG. 22(b). As shown in FIG. 22(c), when changing from the range A1corresponding to the setting level 1 of the user input unit 4 to therange A3 corresponding to the setting level 3, the area is reduced byincreasing the speed from time T0 to time T1 of the range A1, and thereduction in the range stops from the time T1 to time T2 which is theoutermost circumference of the range A2. After that, the area is reducedagain by increasing the speed from time T2 to time T3 of the range A2,and the variation stops when reaching the time T3 which is the outermostcircumference of the range A3.

In this way, noticeability of the map display is improved by carryingout display control in conformity with the operation feeling of the userinput unit 4. Besides, in addition to the foregoing configuration, aconfiguration can also be provided which stops the variation of therange A for a moment at an important point on the map display such as adestination of the vehicle. This enables the user to readily recognizethe important point on the map display.

As still another display control method, a configuration will be shownwhich displays the setting of the power consuming equipment in relationto the presence or absence of an energy supplying facility.Incidentally, although the following description will be made using anair conditioner as an example of the power consuming equipment, it isapplicable to the setting of the power consuming equipment such as audioequipment which does not have an influence on the vehicle driving.

When the air conditioner is selected as the power consuming equipmentvia the user input unit 4 (see FIG. 23(a)), as shown in FIG. 23(b) aredisplayed a display mark of a charging facility which is an energysupplying facility and a range A corresponding to each settingtemperature of the air conditioner. In the example of FIG. 23(b), whenthe setting temperature is fixed at 27 degrees to 29 degrees, since atleast one charging facility exists within the range A (27 degrees), A(28 degrees) and A (29 degrees), the range A (27 degrees), A (28degrees) and A (29 degrees) are displayed in a blue color, for example.On the other hand, when the setting temperature is fixed at 26 degrees,since the vehicle cannot reach the first charging facility placed atSA3, the range A (26 degrees) at the setting temperature 26 degrees isdisplayed in a red color which indicates a warning, for example, and amessage for a user is displayed such as “Recommend to fix settingtemperature at 27 degrees and over”, thereby proposing to fix thesetting temperature of the air conditioner at 27 degrees and up.According to this, the user decides the setting temperature of the airconditioner by confirming the range A displayed, the warning display ordisplay message.

The processing operation of displaying the setting of the airconditioner in relation to the presence or absence of the energysupplying facility will be described with reference to flowcharts ofFIG. 24 and FIG. 25.

When the range calculating unit 13 detects an input from the settingbutton (not shown) of the air conditioner (step ST61), it supplies thereachable distance calculating unit 22 with the driving energyconsumption rate at each setting temperature of the air conditioner,which is retained in advance (step ST62). The reachable distancecalculating unit 22 computes the reachable distance D at each settingtemperature of the air conditioner from the driving energy consumptionrate at each setting temperature of the air conditioner supplied at stepST62, the remaining energy Er acquired from the remaining energyacquiring unit 5 and the moving energy consumption rate concerning thevehicle driving acquired from the energy consumption rate acquiring unit6 (step ST63). The reachable area calculating unit 23 computes the rangeA based on the reachable distance D calculated at step ST63 (step ST64).The computed range A is supplied to the output control unit 14 togetherwith the map data.

The output control unit 14 extracts an energy supplying facility byreferring to the map data (step ST65), and decides on whether areachable energy supplying facility exists within the range Acorresponding to each setting temperature of the air conditioner or not(step ST66). If it decides that an energy supplying facility existswithin the range A corresponding to the setting temperature of the airconditioner at step ST66, it displays the range A together with thedisplay mark of the energy supplying facility (step ST67). On the otherhand, if it does not decide that an energy supplying facility existswithin the range A corresponding to the setting temperature of the airconditioner at step ST66, it gives a warning display of the range A(step ST68).

After that, the output control unit 14 makes a decision as to whetherthe processing at step ST66 is performed for all the air conditionersetting temperatures or not (step ST69). When it decides that itcompletes the processing for all the air conditioner settingtemperatures at step ST69, it computes the air conditioner settingtemperature to be recommended by referring to the processing result atstep ST66, and carries out display control for showing the recommendedsetting temperature in a message (step ST70). On the other hand, when itdoes not decide that it completes the processing for all the airconditioner setting temperatures at step ST69, it returns the processingto step ST66 to repeat the foregoing processing.

Incidentally, since the power consumption of the air conditioner isdetermined by the setting temperature of the air conditioner here, it isassumed that the range calculating unit 13 has the driving energyconsumption rates corresponding to the individual setting temperaturesin advance as a database. In addition, a configuration is also possiblein which the reachable distance calculating unit 22 has the database.

As still another configuration, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 25,the output control unit 14 acquires, after computing and displaying therecommended air conditioner setting temperature at step ST70, thesetting temperature of the air conditioner which is controlled by avehicle control unit (not shown) via the communication unit 9, anddecides on whether the vehicle can reach the closest energy supplyingfacility from the present position at the setting temperature or not(step ST71). If it decides at step ST71 that the vehicle cannot reach,it supplies the recommended air conditioner setting temperature computedat step ST70 to the vehicle control unit via the communication unit 9 asa control instruction (step ST72). On the other hand, if it decides atstep ST71 that the vehicle can reach, it terminates the processingwithout any control of the air conditioner.

The vehicle control unit, which receives the control instruction at stepST72, fixes the setting temperature of the air conditioner at therecommended temperature. This makes it possible to automatically controlthe air conditioner at the recommended temperature.

In this way, the present embodiment can provide a warning display forthe setting temperature which will prevent the vehicle from arrivingeven at the closest energy supplying facility to the present position,and can inform the user of the recommended air conditioner settingtemperature. In addition, it can automatically control the settingtemperature of the air conditioner at the temperature which will enablethe vehicle to reach the energy supplying facility. Furthermore, it isnot limited to the air conditioner, but a configuration is also possiblewhich automatically controls the setting of the power consumingequipment that does not affect the vehicle driving in conformity withthe decision result on whether the vehicle can reach an energy supplyingfacility. When carrying out the automatic control, a configuration isalso possible which informs the user of carrying out the automaticcontrol such as releasing the warning display.

As described above, according to the present embodiment 6, since it isconfigured in such a manner that the output control unit 14 carries outthe display control of the range A in conformity with an operationfeeling of the user input unit 4, it can display the range A inconnection with the operation of the user input unit 4. This enables theuser to readily recognize the changes in the range A according to thesetting of the power consuming equipment.

In addition, according to the present embodiment 6, it is configured insuch a manner that the range calculating unit 13 computes the range Acorresponding to each setting temperature of the air conditioner, andthat the output control unit 14 makes a decision as to whether an energysupplying facility exists within the range A at each setting temperatureof the air conditioner, and gives, when it does not exist, a warningdisplay of the range A to inform a user of the recommended airconditioner setting temperature. Accordingly, the user can readilyrecognize the air conditioner setting temperature that will enable thevehicle to reach the energy supplying facility. Incidentally, as forpower consuming equipment other than the air conditioner, therecommended setting can also be informed so as to achieve the sameadvantage.

Furthermore, according to the present embodiment 6, since it isconfigured in such a manner as to supply the recommended settingtemperature of the air conditioner to the vehicle control unit via thecommunication unit 9 as a control instruction so that the airconditioner is set at the recommended temperature via the vehiclecontrol unit, it can automatically control to the setting temperaturethat will enable the vehicle to reach the energy supplying facilitywithout troubling the user. Incidentally, as for power consumingequipment other than the air conditioner, it is also possible toautomatically control to the recommended setting so as to achieve thesame advantage.

Incidentally, the configuration of the foregoing embodiment 6 isapplicable to the embodiments 1-4.

Incidentally, the present invention is applicable to a mobile unitdriven by various energy such as an electric vehicle, hybrid car andgasoline-engined car. As various energy, there are electricity,gasoline, natural gas and alcohol, for example. Accordingly, the energysupplying facility can be constructed as an infrastructure for supplyingvarious energy. Incidentally, the type of the mobile unit and the typeof the energy are not limited to those mentioned above, and can beconstructed with appropriate variations.

In addition, although the present invention is described by way ofexample that displays a map two-dimensionally, the map can be displayedthree-dimensionally. In addition, the display method can be altered inconformity with a display content such as displaying the maptwo-dimensionally and the range three-dimensionally.

Incidentally, the configurations shown from the foregoing embodiment 1to the embodiment 6 can be applied to a navigation device. As shown inFIG. 26, a navigation device 30 can be configured by adding to theconfiguration of the map display device shown from the embodiment 1 tothe embodiment 6, a route informing unit 31 with a route informingfunction, a route guidance function and a location function, and asearch unit 32 with a POI (Point of Interest) searching function, and byadding to the display unit 8′ a map display function.

In addition, although the foregoing embodiment 1 to embodiment 6 shows aconfiguration that displays an accurate map, this is not essential. Forexample, a configuration is also possible which displays a schematicmap.

Furthermore, a configuration is also possible in which the so-calleddisplay audio equipment is provided with a map database display functionand a GPS function to implement the configuration shown from theembodiment 1 to the embodiment 6

In addition, a configuration is also possible which implements theconfiguration shown from the foregoing embodiment 1 to the embodiment 6on an onboard monitoring apparatus with the map database and GPSfunction.

Incidentally, it is to be understood that a free combination of theindividual embodiments, variations of any components of the individualembodiments or removal of any components of the individual embodimentsare possible within the scope of the present invention.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

A map display device in accordance with the present invention can bemounted on a mobile unit and is applicable to a navigation device thatdisplays a range of the mobile unit together with a map display.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

1 control unit, 2 position information acquiring unit, 3 map datastorage unit, 4 user input unit, 5 remaining energy acquiring unit, 6energy consumption rate acquiring unit, 7 voice output unit, 8 displayunit, 9 communication unit, 10 map display device, 11 vehicle positioncalculating unit, 12 input analyzer unit, 13 range calculating unit, 14output control unit, 15 map 2 5 panel unit, 16 circular route storageunit, 21 driving efficiency storage unit, 22 reachable distancecalculating unit, 23 reachable area calculating unit, 24 reachable pointcalculating unit, 30 navigation device, 31 route informing unit, 32searching unit, 4 a dial, 4 b button.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for outputting a reachable rangecomprising: a processor to execute a program; and a memory to store theprogram which, when executed by the processor, results in performance ofsteps comprising, computing a reachable distance of a mobile unit, usinga moving energy consumption which is required for moving the mobile unitand a driving efficiency of the mobile unit on a road; calculating atleast one reachable point from the reachable distance according to avehicle position and map data; computing a reachable range from thereachable point; and outputting the reachable range computed to adisplay.
 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the road includesat least one of an ordinary road and motorway.
 3. The device accordingto claim 1, wherein the at least one reachable point comprises aplurality of reachable points, and the reachable range is formed byconnecting the plurality of reachable points with straight lines.
 4. Thedevice according to claim 1, wherein the steps further comprise:outputting, in addition to map information, various information createdto the display.
 5. The device according to claim 1, the steps furthercomprising: acquiring information on remaining energy from the mobileunit, wherein the step of computing the reachable distance is performedusing the acquired information on remaining energy.
 6. The deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the step of computing the reachabledistance is performed using a driving energy consumption which isrequired for driving equipment whose energy consumption varies dependingon user operation.
 7. A device for outputting a reachable rangecomprising: a processor to execute a program; and a memory to store theprogram which, when executed by the processor, results in performance ofsteps comprising, computing a reachable distance of a mobile unit, usinga moving energy consumption which is required for moving the mobileunit; calculating a plurality of reachable points from the reachabledistance according to a vehicle position and map data; forming areachable range by connecting the plurality of reachable points withstraight lines; and outputting the reachable range computed to adisplay.
 8. The device according to claim 7, wherein the step ofcomputing the reachable distance is performed using a driving efficiencyof the mobile unit on a road.
 9. The device according to claim 8,wherein the road includes at least one of an ordinary road and motorway.10. The device according to claim 7, wherein the steps further comprise:outputting, in addition to map information, various information createdto the display.
 11. The device according to claim 7, the steps furthercomprising: acquiring information on remaining energy from the mobileunit, wherein the step of computing the reachable distance is performedusing the acquired information on remaining energy.
 12. The deviceaccording to claim 7, wherein the step of computing the reachabledistance is performed using a driving energy consumption which isrequired for driving equipment whose energy consumption varies dependingon user operation.
 13. A method for outputting a reachable rangecomprising: computing a reachable distance of a mobile unit, using amoving energy consumption which is required for moving the mobile unitand a driving efficiency of the mobile unit on a road; calculating atleast one reachable point from the reachable distance according to avehicle position and map data; computing a reachable range from thereachable point; and outputting the reachable range computed to adisplay.
 14. A method for outputting a reachable range comprising:computing a reachable distance of a mobile unit, using a moving energyconsumption which is required for moving the mobile unit; calculating aplurality of reachable points from the reachable distance according to avehicle position and map data; forming a reachable range by connectingthe plurality of reachable points with straight lines; and outputtingthe reachable range computed to a display.